Tokyo Tourism is proud to celebrate the recent inclusion of “Traditional knowledge and skills of sake-making with koji mold in Japan” on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This prestigious recognition, announced on December 5, 2024, highlights the centuries-old craftsmanship and cultural significance of sake, Japan’s beloved national drink. In honour of this achievement, Tokyo Tourism is inviting visitors to explore the rich history and artistry behind sake production through immersive sake tourism experiences across the city.
Tokyo Prefecture is home to 10 renowned sake breweries that use the traditional koji mold method of fermentation, which was highlighted in the UNESCO recognition. These breweries offer an exciting opportunity for visitors to experience sake-making firsthand, from guided tours of historic breweries to exclusive sake tastings.
Sake, known as ‘nihonshu’ in Japan, is a fermented alcoholic beverage made primarily from rice and water. While sake is brewed across Japan, the highest quality sake comes from regions with pure water and the finest rice. Tokyo is a prime location for enjoying the vast selection of sake produced in the country, with its restaurants, bars, izakayas, and sake shops offering an extensive range. Tokyo’s pure water and ideal brewing conditions contribute to the city’s unique sake character, which visitors can sample at various locations throughout the city.
Visitors can also explore Tokyo’s sake brewing history by touring local breweries that have been operating for centuries. Notable among them are:
- Ozawa Brewery: Founded in 1702, Ozawa Brewery is located in the scenic Okutama region of Tokyo. The brewery offers free guided tours that explain the history and process behind their famed Sawanoi sake.
- Ishikawa Brewery: Established in 1863, this brewery is home to the famous Tamajiman sake. Visitors can tour its beautiful, centuries-old kura (traditional warehouses) and enjoy guided tours in both Japanese and English (fees apply).
*Advance bookings via the respective websites essential.
In addition to these historic breweries, eight other esteemed sake producers in Tokyo are located in the prefecture:
- Tamura Brewery Established 1822
- Nozaki Brewery Established 1884
- Nakamura Brewery Established 1804
- Ozawa Syuzoujou Established 1926
- Toshimaya Brewery Established 1596
- Noguchi Brewery Established 1860
- Tokyo Port Brewery Established 1812
- Tokyo Hachioji Shuzo Established 2014
Sake tourism in Tokyo offers an in-depth exploration of the diverse styles of sake, from dry to sweet, and even sparkling sake with lower alcohol content, which is gaining in popularity. The tours and tastings allow visitors to discover the versatility of sake and understand the delicate balance of ingredients and craftsmanship that go into every bottle.
In celebration of the UNESCO inscription, Tokyo Tourism encourages visitors to embark on a journey through Tokyo’s sake culture, whether by visiting a brewery, participating in a sake-tasting event, or simply enjoying a glass of sake in one of the city’s many eateries.
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